A  RECORD 


OF  THE 


DEDICATION  OF  THE  STATUE 


REAR  ADMIRAL 

JOHN  ANCRUM  WINSLOW 

ItL 

MAY- 8 -19 09 


BAS-RELIEF   OF  JOHN   ANCRUM    WINSLOW. 


E   C    O    R    D 


THE    STATUE 

- 

U>MIRAL 

WlNSLOW 


BAS-RELIEF   Of    }<»«» 


A 


DEDICATION    OF   THE    STATUE 


OF 


REAR  ADMIRAL 
JOHN    ANCRUM  WINSLOW 


MAY  -  8  -   1909 


BOSTON:  PRINTED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  GOVERNOR  AND 
COUNCIL  :  WRIGHT  AND  POTTER  PRINTING  COMPANY 
STATE  PRINTERS  :  :  :  NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  NINE 


CONTENTS 


Resolve  of  the  General  Court  7 

Orders  of  the  Governor's  Council  8 

Programme  1 1 

Address  by  Hon.  Seward  W.  Jones  15 

Address  by  Hon.  Eben  S.  Draper,  Governor  19 

Address  by  Hon.  John  W.  Weeks,  M.C.  25 


RESOLVE 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 


The  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 


CHAPTER  63,  RESOLVES  OF  1908 


RESOLVE 

TO    PROVIDE  FOR  THE    ERECTION    OF    A   STATUE 
OF   ADMIRAL  JOHN   A.   WINSLOW 

RESOLVED,  That  the  governor,  with  such  members  of  the  council  as  he 
may  select,  are  hereby  made  a  commission  to  procure  a  full-length 
statue  in  bas-relief  of  the  late  Admiral  John  Ancrum  Winslow,  commander 
of  the  Kearsarge,  which  shall  be  placed  in  the  state  house,  in  Memorial 
Hall,  or  in  such  other  situation  as  shall  be  designated  by  the  governor. 
For  this  purpose  the  governor  is  authorized  to  expend  a  sum  not  exceeding 
six  thousand  dollars. 

House  of  Representatives,  April  6,  1908 
Passed.        JOHN   N.   COLE,  Speaker 

In  Senate,  April  7,  1908 
Passed.        WM.    D.  CHAPPLE,  President 

Approved,   April  8,  1908. 

EBEN   S.   DRAPER, 

Lieutenant  Governor,  acting  Governor 

Office  of  the  Secretary,  Boston,  April  15,  1908 
A  true  copy. 

Witness  the  Great  Seal  of  the  Commonwealth, 

WM.  M.  OLIN, 
Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 

7 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 


The  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 

APRIL  29,  1908 

The  Committee  on  State  House  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  following  vote:  — 

VOTED,  That  under  the  provisions  of  chapter  63  of  the  Resolves  of  1908, 
"  to  provide  for  the  erection  of  a  statue  of  Rear  Admiral  John  A. 
Winslow,"  the  Governor  be  advised  to  authorize  the  execution  of  a  con- 
tract with  William  Couper,  of  No.  207  East  Seventeenth  Street,  New  York 
City,  for  the  erection  of  a  full-length  bronze  statue  in  bas-relief  of  the  late 
Rear  Admiral  John  A.  Winslow,  Commander  of  the  "  Kearsarge"  during 
the  Civil  War,  for  a  sum  not  exceeding  five  thousand  dollars,  said  statue  to 
be  completed  within  two  years. 

Adopted  in  Council,  April  29,  1908. 

E.   F.   HAMLIN, 

Executive  Secretary 


WILLIAM   COOPER,   SCULPTOR, 


0EOICATIO 


UE 


The  U  **<•»:<.-  ^ 
of  the 


V 
t 


tht  Ovii  W*r.  tor  a  *a«s  iw*  en« 
he  completed  **thin  two  yews- 

Adopted  in  Council,  April  29, 


*>,  1908 


.^er  63  of  the  Resolves  of  1908. 
«  •itaru*  of  Rear  Admiral  John  A. 
•;  tiM  itiusctttma  <^  ,». 

.  <*'   r-K       K',;*?»n*;"  during 


E.   F.   HAML1N, 

Executive  Secrttery 


WILLIAM   COUPER,   SCULPTOR. 


PROGRAM  ME 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW    STATUE 


PROGRAMME 

THE   UNVEILING  OF  THE  STATUE   IN 
THE  STATE  HOUSE 

AT  10.30  A.n. 

1 .  March,  "  Our  Honored  Heroes, "   -        -    Fifth  Regiment  Band,  Walibam 

2.  Music,  "  Naval  Potpourri,"  -  Fifth  Regiment  Band,  Waliham 

3.  Music,  "  Hail  to  the  Chief,"          -        -    Fifth  Regiment  Band,  Walibam 

4.  Presentation  of  the  Statue  to  the  Commonwealth,  by  Hon.  Seward  W. 

Jones,  Chairman  State  House  Committee      /••, 

5.  Unveiling  of  the  Statue,  by  Miss  Catherine  Ricketson 

6.  Acceptance  of  the  Statue,  by  His  Excellency  Eben  S.  Draper,  Governor 

7.  Prayer,  by  Rev.  Arthur  W.  Stone,  U.  S.  N. 

8.  Music,  Intermezzo,  "  Hearts  and  Flowers," 

Fifth  Regiment  Band,  Walibam 


EXERCISES   IN    THE    HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES 

1 .  Music,  "  Pilgrims'  Chorus,"  -  Fifth  Regiment  Band,  Walibam 

2.  Oration,  by  Hon.  John  W.  Weeks,  M.C.,  of  Newton 

3.  Music,  "America" 

•> 

4.  Benediction,  by  Rev.  Arthur  W.  Stone,  U.  S.  N. 

ii 


ADDRESS 


HON.   SEWARD   W    JONES,   CHAIRMAN,   STATE   HOUSE   COMMITTEE. 


ADDRESS 


BY    HON.    SEWARD    W.    JONES,    CHAIRMAN,    COMMITTEE    ON    STATE    HOUSE,  OF 
THE   EXECUTIVE   COUNCIL 


WOUR  EXCELLENCY:  —  The  Governor  and  Council,  by 
chapter  63  of  the  Resolves  of  the  year  1908,  approved 
by  Your  Excellency  as  Acting  Governor,  were  authorized 
by  the  Great  and  General  Court  of  the  Commonwealth  to 
place  in  this  room  the  bronze  bas-relief  portrait  statue 

•V. 

^Ive,  Mr.  William  Couper,  an 

•  '  •        .  •        : 

Governor  »<  the  work,  and  this  site 

!  m  of  the  State  House  Com- 

.•.":• 

sir,  <  :ice  of  the  work  entrusted 

to  our  care;  ,T  to  you,  as  Governor  of 

the  Commonweai  -cted  by  a  grateful  people 

;e  memory  of  K  '  John  Ancrum  Winslow, 

who                 of  peril  served  the  Commonwealth  am*  the 


HON     **.WA?       W     JONES.   CHAIRMAN,   STATE   HOUSE   COMMITTEE 


ADDRESS 


BY    HON.    SEWARD    W.    JONES,    CHAIRMAN,    COMMITTEE    ON    STATE    HOUSE,  OF 
THE   EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL 


V^OUR  EXCELLENCY:  —  The  Governor  and  Council,  by 
*  chapter  63  of  the  Resolves  of  the  year  1908,  approved 
by  Your  Excellency  as  Acting  Governor,  were  authorized 
by  the  Great  and  General  Court  of  the  Commonwealth  to 
place  in  this  room  the  bronze  bas-relief  portrait  statue 
which  we  unveil  today. 

In  accordance  with  this  resolve,  Mr.  William  Couper,  an 
eminent  sculptor  of  New  York,  was  commissioned  by  the 
Governor  and  Council  to  execute  the  work,  and  this  site 
selected. 

I  have  the  honor,  as  Chairman  of  the  State  House  Com- 
mittee of  the  Honorable  Council,  to  officially  inform  you, 
sir,  of  the  completion  and  acceptance  of  the  work  entrusted 
to  our  care;  and  further,  to  deliver  to  you,  as  Governor  of 
the  Commonwealth,  this  statue,  erected  by  a  grateful  people 
to  the  memory  of  Rear  Admiral  John  Ancrum  Winslow, 
who  in  time  of  peril  served  the  Commonwealth  and  the 
nation  with  credit  and  honor. 


'5 


ACCEPTANCE  OF    BAS-RELIEF 


HIS   EXCELLENCY   EBEN   S.    DRAPER,  GOVERNOR. 


STANCE  OF  BAS-RELIEF  OF 
ADMIRAL  WINSLOW 


BY  H>>  EXCEU.UICV  EBEH  S.  DRAPER,  GOVERNOR 

j\ /I  R.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — In  accepting 
*  *  *  this  bas-relief  for  the  Commonwealth,  I  congratu- 
late the  State  House  Committee  of  the  Council,  and  espe- 
airman,  Councillor  Jones,  on  the  prompt 
completion  ef  tilt  work,  and  I  congratulate  them  and  the 
Common  wealth  on  its  character  and  success  as  a  work  of 
art.  It  is  worthy  of  the  place  it  occupies,  and  that  is  saying 
much. 

Admiral  Winslow  was  descended  from  most  distinguished 
and  early  settlers  of  this  nation.    On  his  father's  side  he 
was  in  direct  descent  from  John  Winslow,  a  broth 
Edward  Winslow,  Governor  of  Plymouth  Colony  ai 
ferent  times  from  1633  to  1644,  and  of  Mary  Chilton,  th? 
first  woman  to  land  from  the  "  Mayflower."    On  his  mot 
side  he  was  descended  from  Colonel  William  Rhett,  who 
married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Amy,  one  of  the  lord 
proprietors  of  the  colony  of  North  Carolina  under  the  char- 
ter of  King  Charleo.    Rhett  was  a  rtar  admiral,  and  com- 


HIS   EXCELLENCY   EBfiN    S     tUSAPfe-ft, 


ACCEPTANCE  OF  BAS-RELIEF  OF 
ADMIRAL  WINSLOW 


BY  His  EXCELLENCY  EBEN  S.  DRAPER,  GOVERNOR 


/\/[R-  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  —  In  accepting 
this  bas-relief  for  the  Commonwealth,  I  congratu- 
late the  State  House  Committee  of  the  Council,  and  espe- 
cially its  chairman,  Councillor  Jones,  on  the  prompt 
completion  of  the  work,  and  I  congratulate  them  and  the 
Commonwealth  on  its  character  and  success  as  a  work  of 
art.  It  is  worthy  of  the  place  it  occupies,  and  that  is  saying 
much. 

Admiral  Winslow  was  descended  from  most  distinguished 
and  early  settlers  of  this  nation.  On  his  father's  side  he 
was  in  direct  descent  from  John  Winslow,  a  brother  of 
Edward  Winslow,  Governor  of  Plymouth  Colony  at  dif- 
ferent times  from  1633  to  1644,  and  of  Mary  Chilton,  the 
first  woman  to  land  from  the  "  Mayflower."  On  his  mother's 
side  he  was  descended  from  Colonel  William  Rhett,  who 
married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Amy,  one  of  the  lord 
proprietors  of  the  colony  of  North  Carolina  under  the  char- 
ter of  King  Charles.  Rhett  was  a  rear  admiral,  and  com- 

19 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

manded  a  naval  force  of  six  vessels  in  1704,  which  defeated 
a  combined  expedition  of  Frenchmen  and  Spaniards  sailing 
from  Havana  against  Charleston.  He  thus  combined  in  his 
ancestry  the  traits  of  the  Puritans  and  Pilgrims  with  those 
of  the  Cavaliers. 

Admiral  Winslow  was  appointed  a  midshipman  through 
the  influence  of  Daniel  Webster.  He  was  connected  with 
the  United  States  Navy  from  1829  until  after  1870,  enter- 
ing as  a  midshipman,  and  was  a  rear  admiral  when  he  died. 

The  most  picturesque  and  important  part  of  his  career 
was  his  command  of  the  "Kearsarge"  when  she  defeated 
and  sunk  the  "Alabama"  off  Cherbourg,  on  June  19,  1864. 
There  are  few  if  any  as  picturesque  events  that  have  taken 
place  in  the  history  of  nations.  This  battle  occurred  just 
outside  the  legal  limits  of  French  territory,  in  full  sight  of 
the  people  on  surrounding  hills  and  of  foreign  vessels.  The 
battle  was  in  the  nature  of  a  duel.  The  ships  were  of  about 
equal  size,  and  both  fought  with  great  bravery.  The  battle 
was  of  tremendous  importance  in  its  effect  upon  the  nations 
of  the  world,  and  occupies  a  much  more  important  place 
in  history  than  almost  any  other  engagement  of  single  ships. 

In  later  years  about  fifteen  million  dollars  was  paid  to 
the  United  States  government  by  the  government  of  England 
because  of  damage  done  by  the  "Alabama,"  which  was  fitted 
out  in  England.  Farragut  said,  in  regard  to  this  battle: 
"  I  had  sooner  have  fought  that  fight  than  any  ever  fought 
upon  the  sea."  No  greater  tribute  could  be  paid  than  this 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

by  the  great  admiral  of  the  American  Navy  to  the  bravery, 
chivalry  and  success  of  Captain  Winslow. 

I  am  not  here,  however,  to  make  any  extended  remarks 
in  regard  to  Admiral  Winslow.  I  accept  this  bas-relief  in 
behalf  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  from  you, 
sir,  and  believe  that  in  the  position  it  occupies  it  will  serve 
always  as  an  inspiration  to  the  youth  of  Massachusetts  and 
the  country.  When  they  see  this  splendid  figure  they  will 
be  inspired  with  a  desire  to  be  what  he  was,  —  a  Christian 
gentleman,  a  brave  officer  and  a  devoted  patriot.  The 
memorial  is  in  the  right  place,  near  the  battleflags  of  the 
armies  of  the  Republic,  in  the  capitol  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts,  which  he  loved  and  served  so  well. 


ADDRESS 


HON.  JOHN   W.  WEEKS,  ORATOR. 


BY  HON.  Jow 


I  ESTEEM 

' 

for  which  include*. 

.   wirtiHh 

sideraf-h'f  pa? 

Thf 

than  th«-  lesi 
of  historic^]  ii 
tablets  o* 

[xfcto 

whic 
and  will 

ought  to  feel  in  i 
who  have  taken 

naUM;  are  »i - 
most  insttti  - 


•:.}.  in  the  name  of 
m  ihi -  piace, 
A»d  that  the 
mng 
'-»ng,  an 


• 

•    •     • 

:.;.-•••-. 

ilia*  ich  every  American 

.-tfs  of  distinguished 

•!ie  establishment  and 
iah»  Cities,  States  and  the 

ork,  and  fortunately  in 
after  a   suitable  delay, 


ADDRESS 


BY  HON.  JOHN  W.  WEEKS,  M.C. 


T  ESTEEM  it  a  great  honor  to  be  invited,  in  the  name  of 
the  Commonwealth,  to  deliver  an  address  in  this  place, 
on  such  an  occasion,  and  I  am  especially  gratified  that  the 
subject  of  this  memorial  belonged  to  a  profession  preparing 
for  which  included  a  large  part  of  my  early  training,  an 
affection  for  which  has  induced  me  to  devote  to  it  a  con- 
siderable part  of  my  time  since  engaging  in  other  pursuits. 
The  present  generation  has  developed  no  better  sentiment 
than  the  desire  to  perpetuate  heroic  deeds  by  locating  places 
of  historical  importance,  and  commemorating  with  markers  or 
tablets  of  suitable  character  the  scenes  which  transpired  there. 
This  is  especially  true  in  Massachusetts,  where  historical  so- 
cieties have  taken  such  a  leading  part  in  erecting  markers 
which  will  be  a  means  of  instruction  to  all  future  generations, 
and  will  create  in  them  that  pride  which  every  American 
ought  to  feel  in  the  works  and  deeds  of  distinguished  men 
who  have  taken  important  parts  in  the  establishment  and 
preservation  of  our  national  life.  Cities,  States  and  the 
nation  are  also  carrying  on  this  work,  and  fortunately  in 
most  instances  they  take  action  after  a  suitable  delay, 

25 


DEDICATION     OF    WINSLOW     STATUE 

which  determines  the  desirability  of  erecting  the  proposed 
memorial.  This  is  especially  true  at  the  national  capital,  and 
in  the  works  which  have  been  erected  in  Boston  by  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Massachusetts.  At  the  national  capital, 
almost  without  exception,  statues  have  been  erected  to 
those  statesmen,  soldiers  and  others  engaged  in  civil  pur- 
suits, the  fitness  of  which  meets  the  approval  of  all  classes 
of  citizens.  This  is  essentially  true  in  this  Commonwealth, 
which  has  remembered  some  of  its  leading  statesmen,  edu- 
cators, poets  and  soldiers  in  a  manner  which  has  general 
approval;  but  in  the  erection  of  the  memorial  which  we  are 
gathered  to-day  to  dedicate  is  furnished  the  first  instance  in 
which  the  State  has  taken  any  action  to  commemorate  the 
deeds  of  one  of  its  naval  heroes.  For  nearly  three  hundred 
years,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  the  people  of  Massachu- 
setts have  been  largely  interested  in  maritime  affairs.  At 
times  they  have  led  the  country,  and  even  the  world,  in  the 
boldness  of  their  commercial  enterprises,  the  excellence  of 
their  fleets  and  the  skill  of  their  sailors.  Unfortunately, 
this  condition  does  not  now  exist,  but  in  the  early  days  of 
the  nineteenth  century,  and  indeed  from  the  first  settle- 
ments of  the  colony,  such  a  considerable  part  of  the  popu- 
lation were  engaged  in  maritime  affairs  that  it  gave  a  dis- 
tinct influence  to  the  commercial  and  political  life  of  the 
community.  So  it  is  a  matter  of  some  surprise  that  the 
State  did  not  long  ago  take  the  action  which  is  being  com- 
pleted by  this  ceremony. 
26 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

Memorials  should  have  at  least  two  purposes.  The  per- 
son or  scene  commemorated  should,  if  possible,  be  a  leading 
subject.  The  only  excuse  or  reason  for  any  other  kind  of  a 
memorial  must  be  that  the  art  displayed  in  creating  it 
should  be  of  the  highest  order.  Fortunately  in  this  instance 
both  of  these  conditions  are  satisfied.  The  artist  has  carried 
out  the  development  of  his  ideas  in  a  manner  which  must 
for  all  time  furnish  the  eye  with  a  pleasing  and  satisfying 
effect,  and  the  State  has  used  wise  discrimination  in  making 
John  Ancrum  Winslow  the  first  sailor  selected  to  be  remem- 
bered in  this  way.  No  other  Massachusetts  sailor  has  per- 
formed any  single  act  which  in  national  importance  rivals  the 
deed  which  made  Admiral  Winslow's  name  famous.  Jones' 
victory  over  the  "Drake"  in  the  "Ranger,"  supplemented  by 
his  capture  of  the  "Serapis"  when  in  command  of  the  "Bon 
Homme  Richard,"  clearly  demonstrated  to  the  nations  of 
the  world  that  a  new  naval  power  had  been  born,  —  one 
which  must  be  reckoned  with  in  the  future.  The  "  Monitor  "- 
"Merrimac"  combat  in  Hampton  Roads  sounded  the  death 
knell  of  wooden  fighting  ships,  and  sent  the  fleets  of  the 
world  of  that  period  to  the  junk  heap,  necessitating  the 
creation  of  new  fleets  of  iron  and  steel.  Both  of  these  events 
were  epoch-making,  but,  with  their  exception,  probably  the 
most  important  single  ship  contest  which  ever  took  place, 
at  least  in  its  political  results,  was  the  "Kearsarge"-"  Ala- 
bama" fight.  Therefore  it  is  most  fitting  that  the  State  of 

which  the  commanding  officer  of  the  "Kearsarge"  was  a 

27 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

resident,  which  had  been  the  home  of  his  ancestors  for 
nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  years,  should  show  its  pride 
in  him  and  the  important  deed  which  he  performed,  by 
providing  for  this  memorial. 

John  Ancrum  Winslow  was  born  in  Wilmington,  N.  C, 
Nov.  19,  181 1.  He  was  descended  on  his  father's  side  from 
John  Winslow,  a  brother  of  Edward  Winslow,  an  early 
Governor  of  the  Plymouth  Colony,  who  married  Mary  Chil- 
ton,  the  first  woman  to  land  from  the  "Mayflower."  The 
family  on  his  father's  side  were  residents  of  Massachusetts 
until  his  father  took  up  his  residence,  when  a  youth  of 
twenty-one,  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  to  continue  a  business 
which  had  already  been  established  by  another  member  of 
the  family.  On  his  mother's  side  he  was  descended  from 
Colonel  William  Rhett,  one  of  the  lord  proprietors  of  the 
Colony  of  South  Carolina,  —  the  ancestor  of  a  long  line  of 
distinguished  men  in  South  Carolina  who  have  borne  his 
name.  Colonel  Rhett,  although  bearing  an  army  title,  was 
at  the  same  time  justified  in  wearing  a  naval  title.  He 
must  have  been  the  original  naval  militiaman,  for  it  is  re- 
corded that  in  1704  he  was  placed  in  command  of  an  impro- 
vised naval  force  to  protect  Charleston  from  an  attack  of 
French  and  Spaniards,  and  that  he  was  successful  in  the 
enterprise,  killing,  wounding  and  capturing  more  than  three 
hundred  men;  and  in  1718  he  captured  the  buccaneer 
Blackbeard,  a  pirate  who  had  created  unmeasured  fear  and 

consternation  among  the  inhabitants  of  that  southern  coast. 
28 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

Therefore,  Admiral  Winslow  not  only  inherited  a  nautical 
taste  from  the  maritime  atmosphere  which  has  surrounded 
affairs  in  Massachusetts  from  colonial  days,  but  his  direct 
ancestor  on  his  mother's  side  was  evidently  not  only  capa- 
ble, from  a  nautical  standpoint,  of  commanding  at  sea,  but 
was  also  a  determined  fighter.  It  will  be  noticed  that  he 
was  a  descendant  of  the  Pilgrims,  he  was  a  Puritan  in  his 
character,  and  was  descended  from  the  Cavaliers,  —  an 
unusual  combination  of  Pilgrim-Puritan-Cavalier.  Although 
his  father  was  residing  in  a  southern  State,  when  his  chil- 
dren reached  an  age  which  warranted  him  in  doing  so,  he 
sent  them  to  Massachusetts  to  be  educated.  Quite  likely 
he  was  influenced  in  taking  this  action  because  there  was  a 
much  greater  difference  in  the  character  of  the  schools  in 
Massachusetts  and  more  sparsely  settled  communities  than 
exists  to-day.  At  the  same  time,  Edward  Winslow  probably 
wished  his  boys  to  receive  the  benefit  of  the  surroundings 
which  he  in  his  time  had  had,  —  surroundings  which  have 
had  much  to  do  in  determining  the  best  qualities  in  the 
American  character,  and  which  were  a  natural  inheritance 
from  the  Pilgrim  Fathers.  I  do  not  find  anything  in  the 
childhood  of  Admiral  Winslow  which  indicated  unusual 
characteristics;  he  early  showed  a  desire  to  follow  a  sea- 
faring life,  and  through  the  influence  of  Daniel  Webster, 
whose  home  at  Marshfield  was  located  on  the  original  Wins- 
low  estate,  he  was  appointed  a  midshipman  in  the  Navy 

Feb.  i,  1827. 

29 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

A  naval  officer's  life  is  not  all  pleasure,  spent  in  agree- 
able surroundings,  visiting  places  of  interest  in  all  parts  of 
the  world.  On  the  contrary,  the  long  separation  from  home 
and  loved  ones,  the  never-ending  watches  in  all  kinds  of 
weather,  the  dangers  undergone,  not  only  from  storms  and 
on  uncharted  coasts,  but  from  the  necessity  of  living  in 
unhealthy  climates,  —  all  these  make  a  very  different  pic- 
ture from  the  popular  estimate  of  naval  life.  It  makes  a 
mixture  of  elements  so  different  that  they  include  the  whole 
range  of  happy  and  stormy  conditions,  —  a  variety  which 
has  an  influence  in  making  naval  officers  well-equipped, 
self-contained,  self-reliant  men.  These  conditions  exist  now 
as  they  did  in  the  days  of  Winslow's  active  service.  His  ex- 
perience was  not  unlike  hundreds  of  other  navy  men,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  the  great  event  which  made  him 
famous,  I  do  not  find  anything  in  his  career  which  makes 
it  distinctive.  But  the  manner  in  which  these  preliminary 
duties  are  performed,  the  character  of  the  life  which  the 
officer  leads,  the  time  which  he  devotes  to  those  professional 
studies  which  keep  him  up  to  the  best  standards  of  the  ser- 
vice, are  elements  which  combine  to  determine  what  result 
we  may  expect  when  the  hour  of  extreme  trial  comes,  if  it 
comes  at  all;  and  while  Winslow's  service  was  not  unusual,  a 
brief  reference  to  it  will  show  its  varied  character,  and  his 
manner  of  taking  the  final  test  shows  that  he  must  have 
made  good  use  of  every  opportunity. 

From  1827  to  1830  he  served  in  the  U.  S.  S.  "Falmouth," 

30 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

making  a  cruise  in  the  West  Indies.  After  a  short  leave  he 
was  detailed  to  the  same  ship  for  a  cruise  in  the  Pacific, 
serving  there  one  year.  He  then  performed  a  few  months' 
duty  at  the  New  York  Navy  Yard,  was  furloughed  and  on 
leave  for  a  year,  and  was  promoted  to  passed  midshipman 
June  10,  1833.  He  served  at  the  Boston  Navy  Yard  and 
on  leave  until  June  8,  1835,  when  he  went  to  the  Brazil  sta- 
tion in  the  "Erie,"  and  later  served  on  the  "Ontario," 
remaining  on  this  station  until  1837.  Returning  to  the 
United  States,  he  was  again  attached  for  two  years  to  the 
Boston  Navy  Yard,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  was 
promoted  to  lieutenant;  and  February  22  of  the  following 
year  he  was  ordered  once  more  to  the  Brazil  squadron,  to 
the  schooner  "  Enterprise."  He,  however,  remained  on  this 
station  less  than  a  year,  being  sent  home  on  sick  leave,  and 
once  more  he  was  ordered  to  the  Boston  Navy  Yard.  While 
performing  this  latter  tour  of  duty,  Oct.  27,  1841,  a  fire 
broke  out  on  a  Cunard  steamer  in  Boston  harbor.  During 
the  fire  Lieutenant  Winslow  displayed  such  courage  that  he 
was  rewarded  by  Queen  Victoria  with  a  sword  knot  and  a 
pair  of  epaulettes.  On  the  ninth  of  June,  1842,  he  was 
ordered  to  the  sloop-of-war  "Warren,"  then  at  Norfolk, 
Va.,  and  was  immediately  transferred  to  the  "Missouri,"  a 
new  steam  frigate  of  the  highest  type  for  that  period.  The 
cruise  of  the  "Missouri"  was  an  unfortunate  one  in  its 
termination.  After  visiting  various  home  ports,  she  was 
detailed  to  carry  dispatches  from  Savannah  to  the  United 

31 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

States  Minister  at  Mexico;  and  in  the  summer  of  1843  she 
received  on  board  our  Minister  to  China,  and  sailed  from 
Norfolk  August  2  of  that  year,  arriving  at  Gibraltar  August 
25.  While  lying  in  this  port,  during  the  absence  of  the  cap- 
tain of  the  ship  and  many  of  her  officers  an  accident  hap- 
pened in  the  engine  room,  causing  a  fire  which  destroyed 
the  ship.  Lieutenant  Winslow  was  not  aboard  at  the  time, 
but  he  was  selected  by  the  ship's  commanding  officer  to 
carry  to  the  United  States  the  reports  of  the  destruction  of 
the  ship,  —  a  matter  of  some  preferment.  During  the  next 
two  years  he  was  on  sick  leave  much  of  the  time,  but  re- 
covering, during  the  summer  of  1845,  he  was  ordered  to  the 
U.  S.  S.  "Cumberland"  as  a  watch  and  division  officer. 
The  "Cumberland"  became  the  flag  ship  of  the  squadron, 
acting  under  Commodore  Connor  in  the  Mexican  war,  and 
sailed  from  Nantasket  Roads  Feb.  3,  1846,  for  Vera  Cruz. 
The  "Cumberland"  was  then  for  several  months  engaged  in 
blockade  duty  off  the  Mexican  coast.  Mexico  had  no  navy 
and  practically  no  commerce,  and  the  duty  must  have  been 
of  the  most  depressing  character.  Officers  and  men  were 
confined  to  their  ships  and  engaged  in  active  cruising  to 
maintain  a  rigid  blockade  of  the  enemy's  ports.  The  coast 
is  a  bleak  one,  violent  storms  are  frequent,  and  very  much 
of  the  time  the  officers  were  obliged  to  live  on  ship's  rations, 
having  no  other  means  of  supplying  their  table.  Many 
officers  and  men  became  sick,  Lieutenant  Winslow  among 
them.  He  had  acquired  malarial  germs  from  previous  ser- 
32 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

vice  in  the  tropics,  so  that  he  soon  became  a  prey  to  the 
intermittent  fever  which  prevailed.  While  serving  on  the 
"Cumberland"  as  a  watch  and  division  officer,  one  of  his 
shipmates  was  Lieutenant  Raphael  Semmes,  later  his  great 
antagonist  in  the  fight  which  made  both  men  famous.  Dur- 
ing this  service  there  were  captured  several  small  Mexican 
vessels,  a  part  of  their  mosquito  fleet,  the  only  fleet  possessed 
by  Mexico,  and  these  two  men  were  placed  in  command  of 
two  of  these  small  vessels.  Winslow  commanded  the  "  Union," 
later  called  the  "Morris,"  —  named  for  Lieutenant  Charles 
Morris,  who  was  killed  at  Tampico.  Semmes  at  the  same 
time  commanded  the  "Somers,"  named  for  Lieutenant 
Somers,  who  lost  his  life  during  the  Tripolitan  war.  Curi- 
ously enough,  both  men  lost  their  vessels.  During  a  storm 
the  "Morris"  was  run  on  a  reef,  from  which  it  was  impos- 
sible to  extricate  her,  and  the  "Somers"  foundered  during 
the  same  storm.  Semmes  was  for  the  first  time,  though 
not  the  last,  thrown  into  the  water  by  the  destruction  of 
his  own  ship,  and  his  life  was  saved  by  clinging  to  an  oar 
until  assistance  reached  him.  The  latter  part  of  Winslow's 
service  in  Mexico  was  performed  in  the  U.  S.  S.  "Missis- 
sippi," and  on  the  termination  of  the  war  and  the  return  of 
the  "Mississippi"  to  Norfolk  he  was  detached,  granted 
three  months'  leave,  and  then  ordered  as  ordnance  officer 
to  the  Boston  Navy  Yard.  At  the  expiration  of  a  few 
months  he  was  ordered  to  the  United  States  sloop-of-war 
"Saratoga"  as  executive  officer,  joining  her  in  New  York 

33 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW    STATUE 

April  8,  1848.  The  "Saratoga"  was  sent  to  the  Republic 
of  Santa  Domingo  to  protect  the  lives  of  American  citizens, 
an  insurrection  prevailing  there,  and  remained  in  service  in 
West  Indian  waters  until  Aug.  5,  1849,  when  she  returned 
north,  and  Lieutenant  Winslow  was  detached.  After  two 
years  ashore  he  was  ordered  to  the  frigate  "St.  Lawrence," 
which  was  fitted  out  to  serve  as  flag  ship  of  the  Pacific  sta- 
tion. On  the  nth  of  December,  1851,  the  "St.  Lawrence" 
sailed  from  New  York  around  the  Horn,  and  made  a  cruise 
in  the  Pacific  which  terminated  April  21,  1855.  Once  more 
returning  to  Boston,  he  was  put  in  charge  of  the  recruiting 
rendezvous,  being  commissioned  a  commander  September 
14  of  that  year.  He  remained  in  charge  of  recruiting  in  Bos- 
ton for  three  years,  was  on  waiting  orders  two  years,  and  on 
the  2oth  of  December,  1860,  he  was  appointed  inspector  of 
the  second  light  house  district. 

We  have  now  come  to  the  civil  war  period,  during  which 
Commander  Winslow  was  to  make  his  name  imperishable. 
His  first  service  during  this  war  was  on  the  western  rivers. 
It  was  early  seen  that  control  of  the  Mississippi  River  would 
divide  the  Confederacy  in  two  parts,  and  would  make  a 
safe  basis  for  operations  in  many  parts  of  the  south  which 
otherwise  would  be  unapproachable.  To  clear  the  Missis- 
sippi, therefore,  became  for  the  next  two  years  an  object  of 
the  first  importance.  Captain  A.  H.  Foote,  one  of  the  ablest 
officers  of  the  Navy,  was  put  in  charge  of  the  formation  of 
the  western  flotilla,  and  he  applied  for  Commander  Wins- 

34 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

low  as  his  chief  assistant.  For  several  months  Winslow 
was  engaged  in  fitting  out  vessels,  shipping  crews,  and  in 
all  the  other  necessary  service  required  to  create  an  inland 
naval  force.  His  first  command  was  the  flag  ship  "  Ben  ton," 
a  gunboat  recently  constructed.  During  this  service  in 
command  of  the  "  Benton,"  while  making  his  way  down  the 
river  she  grounded,  and,  in  an  effort  to  get  her  off,  a  chain 
holding  a  block  broke,  a  piece  of  the  chain  struck  Com- 
mander Winslow  on  his  left  arm,  tearing  out  the  muscles 
and  creating  a  most  painful  wound.  As  a  result  of  this,  as 
soon  as  he  was  able  to  travel,  he  was  sent  home  to  recu- 
perate. On  his  return  to  the  river,  May  3,  1862,  he  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  "Cincinnati,"  another  gunboat 
of  the  "Benton"  class.  During  this  service  he  had  charge 
of  an  expedition  up  the  White  River,  which,  on  account  of 
insufficient  water,  was  not  successful.  It  will  be  noted 
that  he  went  to  this  duty  at  the  personal  request  of  Cap- 
tain Foote.  Owing  to  illness,  Foote  was  detached  and  was 
succeeded  by  Commander  David  D.  Porter,  later  famous  as 
a  vice  admiral  in  the  Navy.  Porter  was  junior  to  Com- 
mander Winslow,  and  for  this  reason  Winslow  asked  to  be 
detached.  The  fact  that  Porter  was  detailed  for  this  duty, 
however,  was  no  reflection  on  Winslow,  for  the  detail  was 
made  in  accordance  with  a  law  which  enables  the  military 
departments  in  time  of  war  to  select  officers  of  unusual 
qualifications  for  certain  special  duty,  giving  them  tempo- 
rary rank  while  performing  it.  There  was  no  contention  on 

35 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

Winslow's  part  that  Porter  was  not  admirably  qualified  for 
this  duty.  Before  leaving  the  river,  however,  he  was  trans- 
ferred from  the  "Cincinnati"  to  the  "Baron  de  Kalb," 
receiving  from  his  officers  on  leaving  the  "De  Kalb"  a 
most  flattering  letter  of  regret  that  he  was  severing  his  con- 
nection with  that  vessel. 

On  the  24th  of  January,  1862,  the  "Kearsarge,"  built  at 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  was  commissioned,  left  that  port  and 
went  directly  to  Spain  in  search  of  the  Confederate  cruiser 
"Sumter,"  finding  on  her  arrival  that  the  "Sumter"  was 
blockaded  at  Gibraltar  by  the  U.  S.  S.  "Tuscarora."  The 
"Kearsarge"  relieved  the  "Tuscarora"  in  this  service,  con- 
tinued the  blockade  of  the  "Sumter"  through  the  spring 
and  summer,  until  it  was  finally  decided  to  abandon  the 
"Sumter"  as  a  cruiser.  In  December,  1862,  Captain  Wins- 
low  was  ordered  to  relieve  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
"Kearsarge,"  and  sailed  for  Fayal,  where  the  "Kearsarge" 
was  expected  to  rendezvous.  For  some  reason  the  "  Kear- 
sarge" was  placed  in  dry  dock  at  Cadiz,  and  was  delayed 
there  until  early  in  April,  1863.  During  the  intervening 
time  Captain  Winslow  was  recuperating  from  his  recent  ill- 
ness, and  chafing  on  account  of  the  delay  and  the  evident 
lack  of  judgment  in  sending  him  to  Fayal  so  long  before 
the  ship  would  be  ready  to  continue  her  cruise.  His  orders 
were  to  cruise  with  Cadiz  and  Gibraltar  as  rendezvous,  his 
objective  being  the  Confederate  cruisers  "Florida,"  "Ala- 
bama" and  "Georgia."  This  cruise  continued  without  im- 
36 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

portant  event  until  the  i8th  of  September,  when  the  "  Kear- 
sarge"  arrived  at  the  port  of  Brest,  finding  the  "Florida" 
there  in  dock  undergoing  repairs,  which  continued  until  the 
first  of  November,  the  "Kearsarge"  in  the  meantime  block- 
ading the  port.  Captain  Winslow's  difficulties  at  this  time, 
and  for  the  succeeding  six  months,  may  be  summarized  by 
stating  that  he  attempted  to  blockade  the  "Florida"  in  the 
harbor  of  Brest,  the  "Georgia"  in  the  harbor  of  Cherbourg 
and  the  "Rappahannock"  in  the  harbor  of  Brest,  after  the 
escape  of  the  "Florida;"  that  he  was  continually  ham- 
pered by  interference  on  the  part  of  the  English  and  French 
authorities;  that  every  endeavor  was  made  to  embarrass 
him,  and  to  find  some  time  or  place  or  manner  in  which  he 
had  violated  the  neutrality  act.  This  is  illustrated  by  what 
is  known  as  the  Queenstown  incident.  Having  been  in- 
formed that  the  "Georgia"  was  coming  up  the  English 
Channel,  and  knowing  that  the  "Florida"  was  in  dry  dock, 
he  left  the  blockade  at  Brest  to  attempt  to  find  the  "Georgia," 
but  running  into  a  severe  storm  in  the  English  Channel  he 
entered  the  harbor  of  Queenstown.  While  lying  there  some 
refugees  came  aboard  for  the  purpose  of  enlistment,  and  it 
was  immediately  charged  that  the  captain  of  the  "  Kear- 
sarge," who,  by  the  way,  was  not  aboard  at  the  time,  had 
violated  the  foreign  enlistment  act.  When  we  consider 
that  southern  cruisers  were  docked  in  government  docks  in 
various  French  ports,  were  given  all  the  time  they  re- 
quired for  repair  purposes,  and  that  a  very  large  percentage 

37 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

of  the  crews  of  the  "Georgia,"  "Florida"  and  "Alabama" 
were  English  citizens,  without  any  protest  on  the  part  of 
any  one  connected  with  those  governments,  we  come  to  a 
proper  conclusion  as  to  the  state  of  sentiment  in  those 
countries  as  represented  by  the  governments  themselves. 
And  it  was  practically  through  the  connivance  of  the  French 
government  restricting  the  actions  of  the  "Kearsarge"  that 
the  "Florida"  was  enabled  to  escape  from  the  port  of  Brest. 
While  this  was  going  on,  the  "Alabama"  was  continuing 
her  famous  cruise.  During  the  two  years  she  was  afloat  she 
captured  seventy  United  States  merchant  vessels,  and  had 
practically  driven  American  sailing  vessels  from  certain 
parts  of  the  high  seas;  she  had  eluded  men-of-war  sent  in 
search  of  her,  only  two,  during  the  two  years,  having  come 
in  contact  with  her;  one,  the  "Hatteras,"  a  much  smaller 
vessel,  was  destroyed  in  a  night  engagement  off  Galveston. 
In  the  other  case  she  escaped  from  the  "San  Jacinto"  at 
Martinique.  Finally  the  "Alabama"  returned  to  the  French 
coast,  and  entered  the  port  of  Cherbourg  on  the  1 1  th  of 
June,  1864.  The  "Kearsarge"  was  lying  in  the  River 
Scheldt,  off  Flushing,  on  Sunday  afternoon,  June  12,  when 
Captain  Winslow  received  a  telegram  announcing  that  the 
"Alabama"  was  at  Cherbourg,  with  instructions  to  block- 
ade that  port.  On  the  i4th  of  June,  in  the  afternoon,  the 
"Kearsarge"  steamed  into  Cherbourg  harbor,  stopped  near 
the  "Alabama,"  while  a  boat  was  sent  ashore  to  communi- 
cate her  arrival,  after  which  Captain  Winslow  left  the  har- 
38 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

bor  and  took  up  his  station  on  blockade.  During  the  same 
day  Captain  Semmes  wrote  to  Captain  Winslow  that  it  was 
his  purpose  to  fight  the  "Kearsarge,"  and  that  he  would 
not  delay  him  more  than  a  day  or  two.  Semmes'  reasons 
for  taking  this  action  have  never  been  stated,  but  it  is  prob- 
able that  he  considered  the  Confederacy  a  lost  cause,  and, 
recognizing  this  condition,  believed  that  the  French  Em- 
peror would  not  be  likely  to  permit  the  repairs  which  the 
"Alabama"  needed;  that  if  he  discharged  his  crew  it  would 
be  impossible  to  reship  the  same  men,  or  others  of  equal 
capacity;  and  that,  having  a  thoroughly  seasoned  crew, 
his  chances  of  winning  were  excellent,  in  which  event  his 
reputation  would  have  been  greatly  enhanced.  Semmes' 
preparations  were  not  completed  until  Sunday,  the  igth. 
We  can  readily  picture  to  ourselves  the  scene  as  it  existed 
that  day;  word  had  been  circulated  that  a  battle  was  to 
take  place,  as  a  result  of  which  the  breakwater,  the  forts 
and  other  positions  of  advantage  were  covered  with  the 
inhabitants  of  that  section.  As  soon  as  the  "Alabama"  got 
under  way  other  vessels  in  the  harbor  did  likewise,  follow- 
ing at  a  reasonable  distance  to  obtain  a  closer  view  of  the 
contest.  The  "Alabama"  was  followed  to  the  three-mile 
limit  by  the  "Couronne,"  a  French  ironclad.  In  order  to 
fully  comprehend  the  relative  capacity  of  the  two  ships,  I 
give  in  detail  their  measurements:  — 


39 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 


"  KEARSARGE."  "ALABAMA." 

Displacement,  1,031  tons.  Displacement,  1,016  tons. 

Guns,  7.  Guns,  8. 

Broadside,  366  pounds.  Broadside,  296  pounds. 

Speed  under  ordinary  conditions,  Speed   under  ordinary  conditions, 

10  knots.  12  knots. 

Complement,  163  officers  and  men.  Complement,  149  officers  and  men. 

Protection,    sheet    chains    ranged  Protection,  well-filled  coal  bunkers 

abreast  boilers.  abreast  boilers. 

Age  of  ship,  2  years,  6  months.  Age  of  ship,  2  years. 

It  would  be  very  difficult  to  find  two  ships,  not  of  the 
same  class,  more  nearly  equal  in  every  respect  than  were 
the  "Kearsarge"  and  "Alabama."  The  advantage  which 
the  "Alabama"  had  in  speed  was  doubtless  offset  by  the 
foulness  of  her  bottom.  The  advantage  which  the  "Kear- 
sarge" had  in  weight  of  broadside  was  offset  by  the  shorter 
range  of  her  guns.  Both  ships  were  protected  by  such 
means  as  they  had  at  hand,  and  in  both  cases  the  protection 
was  of  value  in  preventing  loss  of  life  and  injury  to  the 
ships. 

When  the  "Alabama  "  got  under  way  the  officers  and  crew 
of  the  "Kearsarge"  were  at  church  quarters.  Every  Sun- 
day on  board  a  man-of-war  church  quarters  are  held  after 
general  inspection,  and  if  there  is  not  a  chaplain  aboard  the 
captain  conducts  the  service.  The  "Kearsarge"  had  no 
chaplain,  and  Captain  Winslow  was  conducting  the  service, 
—  a  fitting  role  for  him  to  perform,  for  he  was  at  all  times  a 

devoted  Christian  gentleman,  and  would  naturally,  without 
40 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

regard  to  Navy  custom,  attend  such  services.  During  the 
reading  of  the  service  the  "  Kearsarge's "  quartermaster  on 
the  bridge,  pacing  back  and  forth,  noticed  a  movement 
among  the  shipping  in  Cherbourg  harbor,  and  called  the 
commotion  to  the  attention  of  the  executive  officer,  Lieu- 
tenant Commander  James  S.  Thornton.  There  being  no 
doubt  about  the  "Alabama"  getting  under  way,  Captain 
Winslow  closed  church  service  without  ceremony,  went  to 
the  rail  and  satisfied  himself  that  the  "Alabama"  was 
steaming  rapidly  toward  him,  accompanied  by  the  French 
ironclad.  Every  possible  preparation  had  been  made  for 
the  contest;  no  possible  contingency  had  been  overlooked. 
In  addition  to  the  ranging  of  the  sheet  chains  along  the 
ship's  side,  everything  which  could  take  the  place  of  a  mis- 
sile had  been  removed,  and  the  crew  had  been  drilled  to 
take  advantage  of  any  emergency  which  might  occur.  As 
soon  as  it  was  determined  that  the  "Alabama"  was  leaving 
the  harbor,  Captain  Winslow  headed  the  "Kearsarge"  to 
sea,  and  continued  until  he  was  about  six  miles  from  the 
coast.  At  10.50  he  turned  and  headed  directly  for  the 
"Alabama."  It  is  interesting  to  note  what  men  do  under 
circumstances  which  are  to  determine  for  all  time  their 
personal  and  professional  records,  how  they  conduct  them- 
selves and  what  are  the  motives  which  cause  such  action. 
Up  to  this  time  Captain  Winslow's  thirty-seven  years'  ser- 
vice was,  generally  speaking,  the  routine  service  performed 
by  every  naval  officer;  as  far  as  the  records  show,  he  had 

41 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW      STATUE 

been  faithful  and  diligent,  and  had  prepared  himself  for 
exactly  such  a  contingency  as  now  happened;  and  through- 
out the  fight  he  conducted  himself  as  became  a  competent, 
thoroughly  trained  sailor.  Since  the  organization  of  our 
government  this  has  been  characteristic  of  our  naval  officers. 
From  Paul  Jones  to  Hull,  Decatur,  Stewart,  Perry  and 
McDonough  of  the  1812  period,  to  Farragut,  Porter,  Worden, 
Winslow  and  Gushing  of  the  civil  war  period,  down  to 
Dewey  and  Sampson  of  our  last  war,  we  find  an  absolute 
readiness  to  perform  any  service  and  to  take  advantage  of 
the  opportunities  which  presented  themselves. 

As  soon  as  the  "Kearsarge"  was  headed  for  the  "Ala- 
bama" Winslow  took  his  place  on  an  arm-chest  on  the 
quarter  deck  near  the  starboard  bulwarks.  The  "Kear- 
sarge" in  those  days  had  a  flush  deck  aft;  therefore  the 
position  which  Captain  Winslow  took  was  ideal  for  every 
purpose.  His  body  was  about  half  above  the  rail,  so  that 
he  had  a  perfect  view  of  his  adversary,  was  near  and  in 
constant  view  of  the  helmsmen  and  the  men  at  the  battery. 
He  could,  from  this  position,  without  raising  his  voice, 
direct  the  quartermaster  at  the  wheel,  the  messenger  at  the 
engine  room  hatch  bell  and  the  officers  in  charge  of  the 
guns.  At  10.57  tne  "Alabama"  slowed  down,  sheered  to 
port  and  fired  her  starboard  broadside.  The  projectiles 
from  this  fire  went  high,  passing  through  the  rigging  of  the 
"Kearsarge,"  cutting  a  foretopmast  backstay,  but  doing 
no  other  damage.  As  the  "Alabama's"  guns  had  the  greater 
42 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

range,  Captain  Winslow  wished  to  close  the  distance  which 
then  separated  them,  and  he  did  not  reply  until  the  "Ala- 
bama" had  fired  three  broadsides.  At  1 1  o'clock  the  "  Kear- 
sarge" sheered  to  port,  bringing  her  starboard  guns  in 
action,  fired  her  forecastle  gun  to  get  the  range,  and  the 
fight  then  became  general,  the  ships  presenting  their  star- 
board batteries  and  continuing  to  do  so  throughout  the 
action,  the  result  being  that  but  five  of  the  "Kearsarge's" 
guns  were  used  and  but  six  of  the  "Alabama's."  In  order 
to  prevent  the  "Alabama"  getting  within  the  three-mile 
limit,  and  to  keep  her  at  such  a  distance  that  the  shorter 
range  guns  of  the  "Kearsarge"  would  be  effective,  Captain 
Winslow  ported  his  helm  and  attempted  to  run  under  the 
"Alabama's"  stern.  This  manoeuvre  would  have  brought 
him  between  the  "Alabama"  and  the  shore,  at  such  dis- 
tance that  he  could  effectively  rake  her;  but  his  opponent, 
to  avoid  being  raked,  also  put  his  helm  hard  aport,  so  that 
in  continuing  in  his  attempt  to  carry  out  this  manoeuvre 
the  two  ships  sailed  around  and  around  in  a  circle,  forming 
a  series  of  loops,  the  diameter  of  the  circle  ranging  from 
five  hundred  to  nine  hundred  yards.  This  action  had  two 
effects.  It  was  necessary  for  the  "Alabama"  to  continue 
it,  to  avoid  being  raked,  and  it  prevented  the  necessity  for 
Captain  Winslow  to  keep  at  all  times  uppermost  the  re- 
quirement that  he  should  prevent  the  "Alabama's"  getting 
within  the  three-mile  limit.  Very  nearly  the  first  gun  fired 
from  the  "Kearsarge"  produced  casualty.  The  shell  en- 

43 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

tered  the  "Alabama's"  forward  port,  struck  the  slide  rack 
of  the  gun,  killed  one  man  and  wounded  another.  At  about 
11.15  the  "Alabama's"  spanker  gaff  was  struck,  swung 
downward,  trailing  the  flag  beside  the  mast.  This  was  con- 
sidered a  good  omen  on  the  "  Kearsarge,"  and  a  cheer  was 
given  in  recognition  of  it.  A  few  minutes  later  a  sixty-eight 
pounder  Blakeley  shell  passed  through  the  "Kearsarge's" 
starboard  bulwarks,  wounding  three  men  of  the  after  pivot- 
gun's  crew.  These  were  the  only  men  seriously  injured  on 
the  "  Kearsarge."  William  Gowin,  an  ordinary  seaman,  had 
his  right  leg  so  badly  crushed  that  he  did  not  survive;  but 
during  the  battle  he  illustrated  once  again  the  stuff  of  which 
American  sailors  are  made,  for,  feeling  that  the  battle  was 
going  on  satisfactorily,  after  being  carried  below,  he  said  : 
"I  am  satisfied,  for  we  are  whipping  the  'Alabama.'  I 
willingly  lose  my  leg,  or  my  life,  if  it  is  necessary,  for  that 
purpose."  And  it  is  reported  that  Gowin,  whenever  an 
indication  of  success  came  from  the  deck  above,  joined  in 
the  cheer.  The  fire  of  the  "Alabama"  was  much  more 
rapid  than  that  of  the  "Kearsarge,"  and  much  wilder. 
That  of  the  "Kearsarge"  was  deliberate,  care  being  used  in 
training  each  gun,  in  every  case  the  crews  waiting  until  the 
smoke  cleared  away,  so  that  they  would  have  an  unim- 
paired view,  the  result  being  that  after  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes  practice  the  firing  became  most  effective.  The 
"Alabama"  was  struck  again  and  again.  Her  after  pivot- 
gun,  the  most  effective  in  her  battery,  was  struck  by  a  shell, 

44 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

the  gun  disabled,  and  all  of  its  crew  of  eighteen  men,  with 
one  exception,  were  killed  or  wounded.  This  was  followed 
a  few  minutes  later  by  the  killing  of  one  man  and  the 
wounding  of  another,  and  the  death  of  Midshipman  Ander- 
son at  the  "Alabama's"  forward  pivot-gun.  Captain  Wins- 
low  had  arranged  with  Minister  Dayton  that,  in  case  of 
victory,  he  would  fly  from  the  main  truck  our  national  flag. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  there  was  another  reason  for  hoisting 
this  flag  to  the  main  truck,  and  that  was  that  it  might  be 
unfurled  in  case  the  one  at  the  peak  was  shot  away.  Curi- 
ously enough,  one  of  the  last  shots  from  the  "Alabama" 
cut  the  stops  which  held  the  flag  at  the  main  truck  furled, 
so  that  it  became  unfurled  automatically,  at  once  giving  to 
our  friends  ashore  the  intelligence  for  which  they  were  so 
anxiously  waiting. 

Believing  that  the  action  was  approaching  its  close,  and 
wishing  to  bring  the  greatest  effect  of  his  battery  to  bear 
for  that  purpose,  at  11.50  o'clock  Captain  Winslow  ordered 
grape  provided  for  the  guns.  At  about  the  same  time  an 
inspection  of  the  "Alabama"  convinced  her  executive 
officer,  Mr.  Kell,  that  she  was  sinking,  and  Captain  Semmes 
shifted  his  helm  to  run  ashore.  This  was  the  opportunity 
for  which  Captain  Winslow  had  been  waiting.  He  righted 
his  helm,  passed  under  the  "Alabama's"  stern  and  ranged 
up  on  her  port  side.  The  position  was  such  that  the  de- 
struction of  the  "Alabama"  would  have  been  complete  in 
a  few  minutes,  but  Captain  Semmes,  recognizing  her  desper- 

45 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

ate  situation,  hauled  down  his  colors,  and  the  "Kearsarge" 
ceased  firing.  At  about  this  time,  however,  the  "Ala- 
bama's" port  guns  were  fired,  whereupon  the  "Kearsarge" 
commenced  firing  again,  steaming  into  a  raking  position 
across  her  bows.  Then  a  white  flag  was  run  up  over  the 
Confederate  vessel's  stern,  and  at  12.02  she  commenced  to 
get  out  her  boats.  Eight  minutes  later  a  boat  arrived  along- 
side the  "Kearsarge"  with  a  Confederate  officer  and  twenty 
wounded  men.  The  officer  reported  that  the  "Alabama" 
had  surrendered  and  was  sinking,  and  that  Captain  Semmes 
asked  for  assistance.  Winslow  then  attempted  to  get  out 
his  boats,  but  found  only  two  were  available,  the  others 
having  been  injured.  The  Confederate  officer  was  paroled 
as  soon  as  the  wounded  were  taken  aboard,  and  returned 
to  his  ship.  He  broke  his  parole  and  was  subsequently 
taken  ashore  by  the  English  yacht  "Deerhound,"  which 
had  been  lying  near  the  combatants,  and  which  now  passed 
under  the  "Kearsarge's"  stern  and  was  asked  by  Captain 
Winslow  to  assist  in  saving  the  drowning,  for  the  "Ala- 
bama" was  already  wallowing  in  the  trough  of  the  sea, 
with  every  evidence  that  she  would  sink  within  a  few  min- 
utes. At  12.24  the  "Alabama's"  stern  went  under,  her 
bow  rose  high  in  the  air,  her  mainmast  went  by  the  board, 
and  she  disappeared  beneath  the  waves.  Before  this  oc- 
curred, however,  Captain  Semmes  ordered  his  men  to  save 
themselves,  made  every  preparation  himself,  as  did  his 

officers,  to  keep  afloat  after  they  went  overboard,  and  all 
46 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

were  clear  of  the  ship  when  she  went  down,  the  wounded 
having  been  previously  removed.  The  "Deerhound"  picked 
up  forty-two  officers  and  men,  including  Captain  Semmes, 
his  executive  officer,  Lieutenant  Kell,  and  eleven  other 
officers,  all  of  whom  were  landed  in  England.  This  incident 
created  much  criticism  and  became  a  question  of  interna- 
tional importance.  Undoubtedly  the  "Alabama"  had  sur- 
rendered, and  the  question  arose  whether  men  who  had 
not  physically  become  prisoners  were  actually  prisoners 
under  such  conditions.  At  a  recent  session  of  the  Interna- 
tional Peace  Conference  it  was  determined  that  merchant 
vessels,  yachts  or  neutral  vessels  which  happened  to  be  in 
the  vicinity  of  active  maritime  hostilities  may  gather  up 
the  wounded,  but,  having  done  so,  shall  report  to  the 
belligerent  commander  controlling  the  waters  thereabouts 
for  future  directions;  and  that  any  attempt  to  carry  off 
wounded,  sick  or  shipwrecked  men  without  permission  would 
be  considered  a  violation  of  neutrality.  This  conclusion 
has  been  agreed  to  by  substantially  every  civilized  nation, 
and  we  may  therefore  properly  conclude  that  Winslow 
justly  complained  of  the  taking  away  of  these  officers  and 
men,  even  under  the  circumstances  in  which  they  were 
picked  up.  The  loss  on  the  "  Kearsarge"  was  three  wounded, 
one  of  whom  afterwards  died.  The  "Alabama's"  loss  was 
twenty-six  killed  and  wounded.  Forty-two  of  the  "Ala- 
bama's" crew  escaped  to  Southampton  and  nine  to  Cher- 
bourg on  a  French  pilot  boat. 

47 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

The  "  Kearsarge"  and  "Alabama"  were  not  large  vessels, 
but  the  international  questions  raised  during  the  building 
of  the  latter,  and  her  marvelous  career,  combined  to  make 
her  destruction  of  the  greatest  importance  —  an  importance 
which  can  only  be  appreciated  when  we  consider  the  ques- 
tions involved.  One  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  first  acts,  after  the 
fall  of  Fort  Sumter,  was  to  call  for  seventy-five  thousand 
men  and  to  declare  the  southern  ports  under  blockade.  A 
few  days  later,  May  8,  1861,  Lord  John  Russell  announced 
in  the  English  House  of  Commons  that  the  government  was 
of  the  opinion  that  the  Southern  Confederacy  must  be 
recognized  as  a  belligerent  power;  and  on  May  13  following 
a  neutrality  proclamation  was  issued  by  the  English  gov- 
ernment, warning  all  subjects  of  that  government  from 
enlisting,  supplying  munitions  of  war,  equipping  vessels  for 
privateering  purposes,  or  in  any  other  way  performing  any 
act  which  would  offer  assistance  to  either  belligerent,  —  a 
practical  recognition  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  as  a 
belligerent  power.  After  a  lapse  of  more  than  forty  years 
it  is  comparatively  easy  to  look  on  this  action  in  an  impar- 
tial manner,  which  brings  us  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was 
the  only  course  England  could  properly  have  taken,  and  it 
would  have  been  absolutely  fair  if  the  terms  of  the  procla- 
mation had  been  carried  out  impartially.  This,  however, 
was  not  the  case,  as  we  shall  see.  It  was,  however,  con- 
strued by  the  north  as  unfriendly,  and  was  the  beginning  of 

a  series  of  differences  which   brought    England   and   the 
48 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

United  States  to  the  verge  of  war  in  several  cases,  and  to 
a  long-drawn-out  diplomatic  correspondence  between  Mr. 
Seward,  Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Adams,  our  Minister  to 
England,  and  Lord  John  Russell,  the  English  Secretary  for 
Foreign  Affairs.  Without  reviewing  the  points  of  differ- 
ence in  detail,  it  is  sufficient  to  say  that  the  English  gov- 
ernment —  at  least  a  large  portion  of  those  directly  con- 
nected with  it,  —  the  English  people  of  the  governing  class 
and  the  metropolitan  press  of  Great  Britain  were  at  this 
time,  or  later  became,  heartily  interested  in  the  south  and 
antagonistic  to  the  north.  The  working  people  of  England 
were  never  antagonistic  to  the  north,  and  this  is  probably 
true  of  this  class  of  people  in  every  European  government, 
although  the  government  of  France  was  distinctly  hostile 
to  the  United  States  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  hos- 
tilities. After  the  acts  to  which  I  have  referred,  the  next 
cause  for  pronounced  disagreement  and  disarrangement  of 
our  relations  was  the  Trent  affair.  Captain  Wilkes  of  the 
U.  S.  S.  "San  Jacinto"  took  the  Confederate  Commissioners, 
Messrs.  Mason  and  Slidell,  and  their  secretaries,  from  the 
English  mail  steamer  "Trent."  For  doing  this  he  was 
written  a  letter  of  congratulation  by  our  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  and  received  a  vote  of  thanks  of  Congress.  Mr.  Sew- 
ard, Secretary  of  State,  recognized  at  once,  however,  that 
the  position  which  Captain  Wilkes  had  assumed  was  un- 
tenable. We  had  declared  war  against  Great  Britain  in 
1812  to  maintain  the  contention  which  Great  Britain  now 

49 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

made.  Our  positions  had  become  exactly  reversed.  We 
could  not,  with  any  degree  of  consistency,  deny  that  a 
foreign  man-of-war  had  the  right  to  take  into  captivity 
passengers  or  seamen  sailing  on  vessels  under  our  flag,  as 
we  had  done,  and  now  claim  a  similar  right.  The  result 
was  the  return  of  Messrs.  Mason  and  Slidell,  and  an  apology 
for  our  part  in  the  transaction.  This  materially  irritated 
the  sentiment  in  the  north  which  was  growing  against  Eng- 
land. Another  reason  for  the  prejudice  which  existed 
against  the  north  was  that  the  English  people  had  invested 
largely  in  the  bonds  of  the  Confederate  States,  —  a  preju- 
dice which  became  acute  when  it  became  evident  that  the 
Confederacy  was  doomed;  but  the  cause  of  greatest  differ- 
ence, and  one  which  brought  the  two  countries  to  the  very 
verge  of  war,  was  the  building,  fitting  out  and  dispatching 
from  English  ports  Confederate  cruisers.  Seven  of  these 
vessels  were  built,  escaped  from  their  building  port,  were 
manned  very  largely  by  British  sailors,  armed  with  English 
guns,  and  in  several  instances  the  gunners  belonged  to  the 
Royal  Naval  Reserve  and  were  actually  receiving  pay  from 
the  English  government.  The  "Alabama's"  fourth  lieu- 
tenant and  prize  master  both  belonged  to  the  Royal  Naval 
Reserve.  Several  of  these  cruisers  were  small  vessels,  and 
the  damage  done  by  them  was  not  serious.  This,  however, 
was  not  the  case  with  the  "Florida,"  which  destroyed  a 
large  amount  of  American  shipping,  or  the  "Alabama," 
which  became  the  most  famous  of  the  seven.  The  career 
5° 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW      STATUE 

of  the  latter  not  only  very  nearly  brought  the  two  govern- 
ments into  war,  but  her  destruction  is  the  reason  why  we 
are  gathered  here  to-day.  She  was  built  by  the  house  of 
Laird,  a  firm  of  highest  reputation.  While  in  process  of 
construction  she  was  called  the  290,  and  while  undergoing 
construction  the  fact  that  she  was  evidently  intended  for 
the  service  which  she  afterwards  went  into  was  so  apparent 
that  Mr.  Adams  repeatedly  called  attention  to  her  character 
and  the  purpose  for  which  she  was  being  constructed,  and 
was  as  frequently  asked  to  furnish  proof  of  his  statements, 
after  he  had  submitted  sufficient  proof  to  warrant  the  British 
government  in  making  an  investigation  and  preventing  the 
departure  of  the  vessel.  As  soon  as  the  vessel  had  escaped 
she  was  put  in  commission  by  the  Confederate  government 
and  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Raphael  Semmes.  Cap- 
tain Semmes  proved  himself  to  be  one  of  the  most  enter- 
prising commanders  who  has  ever  conducted  operations  of 
the  character  followed  by  the  "Alabama."  He  was  a  native 
of  Maryland,  but  a  resident  of  Alabama,  and  it  was  for 
that  reason  that  that  name  was  given  the  ship.  There  was 
never  the  slightest  doubt  in  the  mind  of  any  one  about  the 
purpose  of  this  vessel.  The  newspapers  of  the  time  chroni- 
cled her  building  and  the  purpose  for  which  she  was  being 
constructed.  There  was  never  any  question  about  her 
destination,  and  finally,  after  the  British  government  stirred 
itself  and  ordered  an  investigation,  they  found  that  the 
ship  was  already  on  the  open  sea.  During  the  cruise  of  two 


DEDICATION    OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

years  which  followed  under  Captain  Semmes  she  operated 
on  nearly  every  sea,  completely  circumnavigating  the  globe. 
The  method  followed  was  similar  in  almost  every  case.  She 
drew  her  prey  to  her  under  the  British  flag,  and  when  they 
were  within  striking  distance  fired  a  shot  across  their  bows, 
took  off  passengers  and  crew,  removed  whatever  property 
could  be  made  available,  and  then  burned  the  ship  with 
what  remained.  Very  frequently  the  burning  of  one  ship 
was  the  means  of  luring  another  to  her  own  destruction. 
An  American  captain,  seeing  a  burning  ship,  would  start  to 
render  the  assistance  which  humane  men  would  invariably 
give  under  such  conditions,  only  to  find  himself  in  a  similar 
plight,  for  frequently  the  "Alabama"  had  not  yet  left  the 
neighborhood  in  which  she  had  been  operating.  It  is  need- 
less to  go  into  the  details  of  the  correspondence  which  took 
place,  the  protests  which  were  made  by  Mr.  Adams  and  the 
evident  desire  on  the  part  of  the  British  government  to 
permit  the  acts  which  were  complained  of;  but,  in  the  end, 
the  whole  question  was  referred  by  the  Treaty  of  Washing- 
ton to  the  Geneva  Conference,  which  determined  that  Eng- 
land was  responsible  for  the  destruction  which  the  "Ala- 
bama" and  other  cruisers  had  occasioned,  and  the  owners 
of  vessels  were  paid  for  their  property,  an  amount  aggregat- 
ing $15,500,000. 

I  speak  of  this  in  detail  because  it  is  not  a  reason  for 
great  commendation  to  defeat  an  opponent  when  the  oppo- 
nent's forces  are  badly  commanded  or  when  there  is  great 
52 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

disparity  in  the  forces  engaged;  but  in  this  case  the  "Ala- 
bama" was  commanded  by  the  most  enterprising  and  bold- 
est of  the  naval  commanders  developed  by  the  civil  war  on 
the  southern  side. 

The  good  condition  which  the  "Kearsarge"  was  in  when 
she  came  out  of  the  "Alabama"  fight  is  indicated  by  the 
fact  that  repairs  had  been  made  so  that  she  was  ready  for 
any  kind  of  duty  as  early  as  the  5th  of  July,  sixteen  days 
later,  the  only  serious  damage  done  to  the  ship  during  the 
"Alabama"  fight  having  been  the  lodging  in  her  stern  post 
of  a  Blakeley  shell,  which  nearly  cut  the  post  in  two  pieces, 
and  which,  if  it  had  exploded,  might  have  caused  very  seri- 
ous damage.  The  "Alabama"  having  been  destroyed,  the 
"Georgia"  sold  and  the  "Rappahannock"  seized  by  the 
French  Emperor  for  violating  the  neutrality  act,  he  having 
evidently  at  last  reached  the  conclusion  that  the  Confed- 
eracy was  going  to  pieces,  the  "Florida"  alone  remained  at 
sea  in  condition  to  damage  our  merchant  shipping.  The 
"Kearsarge"  was  ordered  to  take  up  the  search  for  her, 
continuing  in  this  service  until  the  nth  of  August,  1864, 
when  the  "Kearsarge"  was  relieved  by  the  "Iroquois,"  and 
returned  to  the  United  States,  arriving  at  Boston  the  yth 
of  November.  Those  who  have  seen  the  ovations  tendered 
our  naval  heroes  as  a  result  of  the  Spanish  war  can  appre- 
ciate the  reception  which  the  "  Kearsarge,"  her  commanding 
officer  and  crew,  received  in  Boston.  The  town  of  Roxbury 
presented  Captain  Winslow  with  a  magnificent  silver  ser- 

S3 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

vice;  a  public  reception  was  given  the  captain,  officers  and 
crew  in  Faneuil  Hall;  Captain  Winslow  was  entertained  in 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  and,  indeed,  wherever  he  could 
find  the  time  to  respond  to  the  numerous  invitations  which 
came  to  him.  Twenty-one  thousand  dollars  was  subscribed 
by  Boston  merchants  and  divided  among  the  "Kearsarge's" 
crew.  The  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce  presented 
Captain  Winslow  with  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  as  a 
testimonial  of  their  appreciation  of  his  great  service.  He 
received  a  vote  of  thanks  of  Congress,  being  one  of  nineteen 
officers  in  our  naval  service  during  the  history  of  the  gov- 
ernment who  have  had  that  distinction;  and,  having  re- 
ceived a  vote  of  thanks  of  Congress,  he  was  promoted  to 
commodore,  and  his  commission  dated  from  the  day  of  the 
battle  with  the  "Alabama."  The  resolution  of  thanks 
passed  by  the  House  of  Representatives  was  as  follows  :  — 

Resolved,  By  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled:  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  are 
due  and  are  hereby  tendered  to  Captain  John  A.  Winslow  of  the  United 
States  Navy,  and  to  the  officers,  petty  officers,  seamen  and  marines  of  the 
United  States  steamer  "  Kearsarge"  for  the  skill  and  gallantry  exhibited 
by  him  and  the  officers  and  men  under  his  command  in  the  brilliant  action 
on  the  nineteenth  of  June,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four,  between  that 
ship  and  the  piratical  craft  "  Alabama,"  —  a  vessel  superior  to  his  own  in 
tonnage,  in  guns  and  in  the  number  of  her  crew. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  in  this  resolution  of  thanks  the 
"Alabama"  is  spoken  of,  as  indeed  she  is  in  much  of  the 
correspondence  of  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
54 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

as  a  piratical  craft,  and  as  being  superior  in  tonnage,  guns, 
crew,  etc.,  to  the  "  Kearsarge."  These  expressions  show  the  in- 
flamed state  of  the  public  mind,  and  the  impossibility  of  doing 
justice  to  one's  enemies  until  a  reasonable  time  has  passed. 
It  is,  as  I  have  shown,  not  true  that  the  "Alabama"  was 
superior  in  tonnage  or  guns,  and  certainly  not  in  the  num- 
ber of  the  crew.  Neither  was  the  "Alabama"  a  piratical 
craft.  She  was  not  even  a  privateer.  A  piratical  craft 
would  be  one  which  did  not  bear  the  commission  of  any 
country,  whose  officers  owed  no  allegiance  to  any  govern- 
ment, and  which  acted  entirely  independent  of  all  restrain- 
ing influence.  A  privateer  is  a  vessel  fitted  out  at  private 
expense,  furnished  by  a  government  with  a  letter  of  marque, 
which  entitles  the  officers  and  crew  to  the  protection  of 
civilized  warfare.  There  were,  during  our  revolutionary 
period  and  the  war  of  1812,  a  large  number  of  privateers 
fitted  out  and  furnished  with  letters  of  marque  by  the 
United  States  government.  But  the  "Alabama"  did  not 
belong  to  either  of  these  classes.  She  belonged  to  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America,  was  paid  for  by  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,  was  commissioned  under  the  authority 
of  the  same  government.  Her  officers  were  commissioned 
by  the  government,  and  her  seamen  were  regularly  enlisted 
for  that  service.  She  was  as  much  a  Confederate  cruiser  as 
the  "Kearsarge"  was  a  United  States  cruiser. 

Captain  Winslow's  service  after  the  civil  war  was  not  of 
unusual  character.    He  was  ordered  to  command  the  West 

55 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

Gulf  squadron  April  7,  1866,  when  it  seemed  likely  that  we 
might  have  trouble  on  account  of  the  French  occupation  of 
Mexico;  but  this  danger  passed,  and  he  was  soon  detached, 
and  during  the  next  two  or  three  years  was  connected  with 
various  boards  until  June  2,  1869,  when  he  was  ordered  to 
command  the  Navy  Yard  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  March  2 
of  the  following  year  he  was  promoted  to  rear  admiral,  and 
July  i  of  the  same  year  ordered  to  command  the  Pacific 
fleet,  with  the  U.  S.  S.  "Saranac"  as  his  flag  ship.  He  was 
much  of  the  time  unfitted  for  active  duty,  although  he  re- 
tained his  command  until  July  25,  1872,  after  having  been 
stricken  slightly  with  paralysis.  He  returned  to  Boston  the 
following  spring,  but  did  not  recover  his  health,  and  died  at 
Roxbury  Sept.  29,  1873,  within  two  months  of  his  sixty- 
second  birthday.  Having  received  a  vote  of  thanks  of 
Congress,  he  would  have  been  entitled,  under  the  law,  if  he 
had  lived,  to  ten  years  additional  service  on  the  active  list. 
During  Admiral  Winslow's  long  service  he  was  afflicted 
with  many  physical  ailments  which  would  have  broken 
down  a  man  of  weaker  character.  He  had  had  especially 
severe  attacks  of  neuralgia,  which  had  affected  one  of  his 
eyes,  —  a  trouble  which  might  have  been  partially  remedied 
if  he  could  have  left  the  "Kearsarge"  during  his  command 
of  her  and  submitted  to  an  operation.  This,  however,  he 
refused  to  do,  the  result  being  that  he  practically  lost  the 
use  of  one  of  his  eyes,  and  had  his  physical  system  so  broken 
down  by  the  pain  which  he  was  obliged  to  undergo  that  it 
56 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

may  be  truly  said  that  he  died  before  his  time,  and  cer- 
tainly that  he  died  for  his  country. 

Captain  Winslow  was  married  in  1837,  the  result  of  this 
union  being  seven  children,  only  one  of  whom  now  survives. 
He,  Capt.  Herbert  Winslow,  U.  S.  N.,  is  at  the  present  time 
the  executive  officer  of  the  Charlestown  Navy  Yard.  It  is 
interesting  to  note  that  the  present  splendid  battleship 
"Kearsarge"  was  authorized  by  Congress  as  the  result  of  a 
suggestion  made  by  Capt.  Herbert  Winslow,  and  that  he 
was  one  of  her  early  commanding  officers.  The  flag  which 
has  been  referred  to  as  having  been  hoisted  at  the  main 
truck  of  the  original  "  Kearsarge,"  which  was  unfurled  by  a 
chance  shot  from  the  "Alabama,"  was  preserved  by  the 
family,  and  was  hoisted  on  the  present  battleship  when  she 
was  launched,  when  she  was  christened  by  the  wife  of  Capt. 
Herbert  Winslow. 

Admiral  Winslow  was  described  as  a  modest,  unassuming 
man,  of  medium  stature,  having  quite  as  much  the  appear- 
ance of  a  divine  as  of  the  gallant  sailor  he  was.  Gentleness 
and  affability  were  quite  as  predominant  characteristics  in  him 
as  those  sterner  qualities  which  we  naturally  look  for  in  the 
military  man,  and  especially  in  him  who  has  borne  the  test 
of  unusual  service  and  come  out  of  the  ordeal  successfully. 

While  Massachusetts  is  taking  this  action  to  commemo- 
rate in  bronze  Winslow's  great  victory,  it  does  so  because  he 
was  a  resident  of  this  State  and  brought  signal  honor  to  it. 
He,  however,  performed  this  service  as  a  sailor  of  the  United 

57 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

States,  and  the  action  which  we  are  taking  to-day  is  of 
national  as  well  as  State  importance.  It  will  furnish  an 
example  for  all  time  to  Massachusetts'  sons,  who  are  em- 
ployed in  a  nautical  profession,  to  go  forth  and  do  likewise 
if  the  opportunity  offers.  His  name  will  last  as  long  as  the 
government  continues,  for  it  is  not  likely  that  there  will 
ever  be  a  single  ship  contest  which  will  bring  greater  renown 
to  the  victorious  commander  than  has  deservedly  come  to 
him.  Admiral  Farragut,  the  most  distinguished  of  our 
naval  officers  of  the  civil  war  period,  who  was  quite  as  capa- 
ble of  judging  the  value  of  a  naval  victory  as  any  man  of 
that  time,  said  of  Winslow's  fight,  "I  had  sooner  have 
fought  that  fight  than  any  ever  fought  upon  the  ocean." 

John  James  Ingalls,  the  brilliant  Kansas  Senator,  a  native  of 
Haverhill  in  this  Commonwealth,  referred  to  opportunity  in 
the  following  lines  :  — 

OPPORTUNITY. 

Master  of  human  destinies  am  I ! 

Fame,  love  and  fortune  on  my  footsteps  wait. 

Cities  and  fields  I  walk;  I  penetrate 

Deserts  and  seas  remote,  and  passing  by 

Hovel  and  mart  and  palace,  soon  or  late 

I  knock  unbidden  once  at  every  gate! 

If  sleeping,  wake;  if  feasting,  rise  before 

I  turn  away.     It  is  the  hour  of  fate. 

And  they  who  follow  me  reach  every  state 

Mortals  desire,  and  conquer  every  foe 

Save  death;  but  those  who  doubt  or  hesitate 

Condemned  to  failure,  penury  and  woe, 

Seek  me  in  vain  and  uselessly  implore. 

I  answer  not  and  I  return  no  more. 
58 


DEDICATION     OF     WINSLOW     STATUE 

John  Ancrum  Winslow  had  one  great  opportunity.  For- 
ty-five years  later,  Massachusetts,  in  erecting  this  memorial, 
records  its  deliberate  judgment  that  he  was  equal  to  the 
occasion ;  it  made  him  the  Commonwealth's  most  renowned 
sailor,  and  rendered  his  name  famous  for  all  time. 


59 


UCSB 


A     000  664  830 


